Implementation of a repository for electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) at the University of Malta Library (UoML) : a case study

Abstract

Electronic resources have been a key issue for the University of Malta Library (UoML) in the last few years within the context of the library transformation/evolvement into a hybrid one. The Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD) project was introduced at the UoML in the year 2007. Initially such theses and dissertations were made available to students on selected workstations at the Melitensia department. With around 3,000 ETDs and an increasing demand for wider accessibility of such intellectual property, the UoML is currently working to implement a repository whereby such theses and dissertations would be available for University of Malta (UoM) registered students via username and password. The purpose of this long essay is to study and present the main issues related to the implementation of an institutional repository at the UoM, in respond to ETDs. Interviews and studies of four foreign universities were used to gather the findings.